McGill Library
McLennan Library Building3459 rue McTavish
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 0C9
Person
Steele, Alexander Denton, 1841-1890
1841-1890
Alexander Denton Steele was born on June 26, 1841, in Elland, England.
He was an important architect active in Montreal, Quebec. He arrived in Canada in late 1871 and was employed as a draftsman by Alexander C. Hutchison. In 1875, they formed a partnership that lasted until 1890. The firm was remarkably successful, producing plans for nearly 100 institutional, ecclesiastical, commercial, and residential works. Much of that success can be attributed to Steele who was, according to an account in 1890 “possessed of eminently distinguished artistic tastes and much practical ability”. He won the competition for the new Y.M.C.A. building and the elegant High Victorian design was completed in 1872. He also lectured at the Art Association Rooms in Montreal on the subject of “Domestic Architecture”.
He died on November 16, 1890, in Elland, England.